Died c. 732. Abbot Porcarius governed Lerins Abbey on an island
off the coast of Provence, France, now known as Saint-Honorat, at
a time when the monastery included over 500 monks. About 732,
Porcarius was warned by an angel that they were threatened by the
descent of barbarians from the sea. Immediately the abbot heeded
the warning and sent off to safety all the young students at the
abbey and 36 of the younger religious. When the ship left fully
loaded, he set about preparing the rest of the community for death.
The community was attacked by the Saracens, probably Moors from
Spain or North Africa, and were massacred, except four who were
taken into slavery. Their feast is kept in the diocese of Frejus,
France
(
Benedictines,
Encyclopaedia,
Walsh).